From an Idea to a Nationally Accredited Specialty Nursing Certification
For more than two decades, nurses and leaders in metabolic and bariatric care have worked to define, advance, and recognize specialty nursing practice through the Certified Bariatric Nurse (CBN) credential.
What began as an idea in the 1990s grew into a professional certification program that has recognized the specialized knowledge and experience of more than 3,400 nurses. Along the way, the CBN program has continued to evolve through practice analyses, examination development, recertification, strengthened governance, and the contributions of CBN certificants and volunteers across the profession.
Explore the milestones that shaped the CBN credential.
The Beginning of CBN
1990s–2007
- Mid-1990s: The idea of a specialty certification for bariatric nurses begins to take shape.
- 1996: Bariatric nursing certification is discussed by the Integrated Health Executive Committee (IHEC).
- 2002: A Bariatric RN Certification Proposal is submitted to the ASBS Executive Council, followed by the establishment of the RN Certification Committee
- 2005-2006: The first Practice Analysis is conducted, establishing the foundation for the CBN examination and defining the knowledge and responsibilities of bariatric nursing practice.
- 2006–2007: Subject matter experts develop and review examination content in preparation for the launch of the new credential.
June 10, 2007 — The First CBN Examination
The first Certified Bariatric Nurse examination is administered, officially launching the CBN credential.
Nurses participating in the first Certified Bariatric Nurse examination, June 10, 2007.
Growing the Credential
2008–2019
- 2008: International examination access expands the reach of CBN certification beyond the United States.
- 2010: The CBN recertification program is established.
- 2015: The Distinguished CBN Award is established to recognize outstanding contributions to bariatric nursing and the CBN community.
- 2016: A new Practice Analysis updates the foundation of the CBN examination to reflect contemporary practice.
2017 — 10 Years of CBN
The CBN program celebrates 10 years since the first certification examination.
Strengthening the CBN Credential
2020–2025
- 2022: The third CBN Practice Analysis is completed, ensuring the examination continues to reflect current specialty nursing practice.
- 2024–2025: The program strengthens its governance, policies, examination processes, and quality practices in preparation for national accreditation.
- April 30, 2025: The CBN Certification Program submits its application for NCCA accreditation.
A New Milestone
2026
NCCA Accreditation
The CBN Certification Program achieves accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), marking an important milestone in the evolution of the credential.
The CBN Certification Program met nationally recognized standards at the time of accreditation review, strengthening recognition of the credential among nurses, employers, and healthcare organizations.
CBN Today
Today, more than 3,400 nurses have earned the Certified Bariatric Nurse credential.
From the nurses and leaders who first envisioned a specialty certification in the 1990s to the subject matter experts, volunteers, certificants, and program leaders who continue to support it today, the CBN credential has been shaped by the metabolic and bariatric nursing community.
The work continues as the program prepares for future practice analyses, advances the examination and recertification programs, maintains accreditation, and supports recognition of specialty nursing expertise across the continuum of obesity and metabolic and bariatric care.
Then, Now & Beyond
The history of CBN is still being written. Each new CBN becomes part of a professional community built on decades of specialty nursing knowledge, volunteer leadership, and commitment to high-quality care.
Explore the CBN Legacy
CBN Awards & Recognition
Recognizing individuals who have contributed to bariatric nursing and the CBN community.
ASMBS Hall of Fame
- 2026 – Bill Gourash
Distinguished CBN Award Winners
- 2026 – Carah Horn, MBA-HCA BSN RN CBN FASMBS-IH
- 2025 – Ruth Davis, MBA BSN RN CBN
- 2024 – Tracy Martinez, BSN RN FASMBS-IH CBN
- 2023 – Linda Neumann Potash, RN MN CBN
- 2022 – Kellie Armstrong, MSN RN FASMBS-IH CBN
- 2021 – Karen Schulz, MSN CNS CBN
- 2019 – Anna Hazinakis, RN BSN CBN
- 2018 – Cheryl Holsworth, MSA RN CBN
- 2017 – Alice Jackson, RN CBN
- 2016 – Sally Strange, PhD RN CBN
CBN Newsletter Archive
Explore a few of the past CBN newsletters and program updates from throughout the credential’s history.
CBN Program Milestones
Practice Analysis for Certified Bariatric Nurses (CBN)
In 2006, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) conducted a nationwide role delineation study to define the responsibilities and tasks essential to competent performance as a Metabolic and Bariatric Nurse. This foundational work established the basis for the Certified Bariatric Nurse (CBN) credential.
The study was updated in 2016 and most recently in 2022 to ensure continued alignment with current clinical practices and professional standards. The 2022 practice analysis serves as the current source for determining the content outline, scope, and complexity of the CBN examination.
The Practice Analysis Writing Group believes that transparency and access to this information is an invaluable resource for the nursing community. The report linked below has been peer-reviewed by ASMBS leadership and is now available for public access.
We invite you to review this document to deepen your understanding of the metabolic and bariatric nursing specialty.
Download: Metabolic and Bariatric Nursing Practice Analysis: An Update
Practice Analysis Writing Group
Melissa G. Rowan, BSN, RN, CBN
Carmela Pontillo, MSN, RN, CBN
Thomas Trautman, MS, ICE-CCP
Veronica Cook Gardner, MSN, RN, CBN
Sue Dugan, BSN, RN, CBN (Ret.)
Teresa Fraker, FACHE, RN, CPHQ, CBN, FASMBS-IH
Linda Neumann-Potash, MN, RN, CBN
William Gourash, PhD, CRNP, RN, CBN, FASMBS-IH
Help Shape the Future of CBN
The CBN legacy continues – and you can be part of what comes next!
For nearly two decades, dedicated nurses and volunteers have helped build, strengthen, and advance the CBN credential. As the program enters its next chapter as a nationally accredited certification, we invite you to help shape its future.
The CBN Certification Committee welcomes passionate metabolic and bariatric nursing professionals interested in contributing their expertise to examination development, recertification, practice analysis, and ongoing program quality and accreditation.
Whether you’re newly certified or have years of experience, your perspective can help strengthen the credential and support the next generation of Certified Bariatric Nurses.
Email cbn@asmbs.org to express your interest and learn how you can contribute to the future of CBN.
Join the CBN Certification Committee
